Pals of farmer Stu Ridley, who died in July following a battle against cancer, are rallying around to continue raising funds in his name.

Fellow farmers are hosting a Stand Up For Stu charity night this month in memory of the keen rugby player from Northumberland who also inspired a fund-raising campaign which has hit almost £23,000.

The Stay Strong Stu campaign was set up when the 25-year-old was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour in February and with it came an enormous show of support from both the Northumberland farming community and the world of rugby which proved a boost during his difficult months.

After he passed away on July 14 at the family home in Shitlington Hall Farm, Wark, donations continued to flow into the campaign set up to support Stu’s close family and to raise awareness of, and fight, brain tumours.

Fund-raising ideas ranged from bike rides to the sale of a special festival ale, Stu’s Brew, which added to a £900 donation from Haydon Bridge Football Club.

The fund now stands at £22,850 with trustees and family members due to decide how to distribute the cash.

It’s an impressive legacy and the latest fund-raiser will take it a step further.

The Stand Up For Stu show is being organised by Bellingham Young Farmers Club which Stu was a prominent member of for eight years.

And the planned entertainment night, to include sketches from past YFC productions, is in keeping Stu’s interests. As well as being a proud member of Tynedale RFC he had enjoyed acting on stage with the YFC at Queen’s Hall Art Centre in Hexham.

He even won a best actor award at the age of 12 as part of Bellingham YFC pantomime cast which made the national YFC final.

County chairman Charlotte Walton, who is helping to organise the charity night, said: “Everyone in the Young Farmers was deeply saddened by Stu’s passing and the idea for the event came from the young farmers who wanted to hold an event in Stu’s memory.

“Stu competed many times for YFC on stage in the Queens Hall. He was a natural on stage.”

More than 100 young people will be taking part in the show which will have two performances at the theatre on September 12, at 2.30pm and at 7.30pm.